Desktop or Web-based e-mail?

Are you a user of Web-based e-mail like Gmail or Yahoo!? Or do you make use of a desktop e-mail client like Postbox, Outlook or Sparrow? Each e-mail option features pluses and minuses. As a newly released story by the Lifehacker Web site says, some users would do better with a desktop e-mail client and others will thrive with a Web-based e-mail system. Are you currently debating over whether to install that latest desktop e-mail client? Or are you contemplating signing up for Gmail? Deciding whether Web-based or desktop e-mail is right for you requires a close look at your computing habits.

When desktop makes sense

Here’s who ought to be using a desktop e-mail client, according to Lifehacker: Computer users that have multiple e-mail addresses with different domains, people who need to access their e-mail messages even when they’re offline and those who filter and block e-mail messages according to subject headers, senders and certain words. Lifehacker also recommends the use of desktop e-mail clients if you like using security features such as encryption and digital signing.

When Web-based makes sense

Lifehacker recommends the use of Web-based e-mail if you need a single unified inbox for all your e-mail messages and you only have a small number of e-mail addresses to track. Web-based e-mail may also make sense if you like using Web-based programs instead of downloading them to your computer and if you're more comfortable storing your e-mail messages in the cloud instead of on your machine.

Plenty of choices

No matter if you go with desktop or Web-based e-mail services, the good news is there are more alternatives than ever when it comes to e-mail. At one time e-mail was more or less ignored by technology companies. Today, though, companies have launched a wide variety of e-mail services, both Web-based and desktop, that can make organizing and managing your e-mail messages a simpler task than ever before.

Why is there Android in my rice cooker?

Would you buy a rice cooker with the Android operating system built into it? What about a dryer or refrigerator? Would you ever consider installing a microwave oven that was partially operated by Android? You might soon get the option, according to a recent story by BusinessWeek. According to that story, Google is installing its Android operating system in many of the stranger places you can imagine. But here’s what’s especially interesting: This move actually makes financial sense for Google.


Android’s reach

Google’s Android operating system is a rather amazing success, at least when it comes to running the smartphone world. The BusinessWeek story quoted numbers by research firm Gartner showing that Android powered 72 percent of the smartphone market during the third quarter of 2012. That’s particularly remarkable considering that rival Apple could only claim 14 percent of that market share during the same three months.

Why appliances?

But Google, understandably, wants to see Android’s reach extend further. That’s why the company’s researchers have developed a host of uses for Android in everything from your home refrigerator, to your dishwasher, to your dryer. This move could pay off for Google in other ways, too. For instance, it could actually help them collect details on consumer preferences. Google may then utilize this to tailor its money-making search feature. After all, Google makes lots of money through search, an industry that it still dominates. Anything that may help Google cement its grip in the world of online search, then, must be considered a sensible economic move.

Is it useful?

The second big question? Is it beneficial to people to have Android in the refrigerator? The unexpected response is “yes”. Here’s one example offered by the BusinessWeek story: Say you’re watching your favorite TV show. And you also plan to go out later that night, and you’d prefer to wear your favorite jeans. As you’re watching TV, a message pops on your screen telling you that your jeans need 10 more minutes in your dryer downstairs. Then, rather than walking down the stairs to manually start your dryer, you merely press a button on your TV remote control to get the dryer humming again. To paraphrase, Android inside your household appliances might be more useful than you’d think.

The tech trends that small business owners need to follow

There was a point in time when e-mail was considered cutting-edge tech. Before that, businesses were considered tech-savvy if they had their very own fax machines. Technology, though, is constantly evolving. What companies needed three years ago is nowhere near what they need now to thrive. CIO Magazine, naturally, recognizes this. That’s why the magazine so emphasized the evolving nature of technology when it listed its top tech trends for businesses. The trends that the magazine’s editors have cited will definitely affect the way businesses operate in 2013. If you’re a wise businessman, you’ll pay particularly close attention to them.


Hospitals and BYOD


There’s a reason why more companies adopted the BYOD – bring your own devices – movement last year. When employees bring their own tablets or laptops to work, hook up to a company network and then perform their tasks on their own devices, they generally tend to be both happier and more efficient. This boosts the bottom line of companies. At the same time, companies that embrace BYOD don’t need to provide individual computers for their employees. This year, CIO Magazine says, the BYOD movement will grow even stronger as increasing numbers of businesses – even highly secure ones such as hospitals – being encouraging their workers to bring their own iPads to work.


3-D Printing Continues to Soar


3-D printing has made a big effect on businesses. The ability to use a printer to produce objects with heft and depth – for example plastic machine parts – is definitely an amazing one. And CIO Magazine predicts that more businesses will see this in 2013. In fact, CIO Magazine predicts that 3-D printing will become a breakthrough technology this year for companies.


The End of Passwords?


Passwords have always been a technological problem for businesses. A great number of their employees rely on their children’s names, street addresses or favorite hockey team when deciding on passwords. These passwords are easier for hackers to guess. When hackers guess a password, they can quickly gain access to confidential company information. But what if companies instead relied on biometrics to secure their computers and confidential data? That day is coming, predicts CIO. In biometrics, companies use such body parts as the iris’ of their workers’ eyes or their fingerprints as replacements for passwords. It really is a more secure option for businesses to guard their critical data.

Can Square help your small business grow?

Need to provide your small business a boost? Why not try Square? You might not know what Square is, but know this: Square will assist you to attract new customers to your business by making it simpler for these customers to buy your goods and services. Square is a tiny, rather stylish, credit-card processor -- square-shaped, of course -- that allows merchants to close credit transactions by using their own iPads, iPhones or Android devices. The device gives you the opportunity to take on credit-card purchases while not having to invest in a more complex system. But Square does come with a cost: You'll have to pay a bit with every transaction you close through the service. Is the cost worth the expense? That's something you need to decide.

How it works

Working with Square is an easy process. First, plug the small, square, Square Reader device into the audio jack of your tablet or smartphone. Then, simply swipe your customers' credit cards through the reader. The reader will then scan the credit card and process the sale. If, for whatever reason, you can't swipe a customer's credit card, you can also manually close the transaction by entering the card number using Square. The Square Reader is free. The app that makes the reader work, Square Register, is free, too. You can download the app from the Google Play store or the App Store.

The Biggest Positive of Square

Square is very user friendly. This is why it's perfect for overworked small business owners. There is no lengthy instruction book to pore through. There are no complicated installations. This is the reason Square has grown to become so popular among business owners. A recent story in USA Today reported that more than 800,000 customers are using Square today. The system is also easy for consumers. Using it, even the smallest of business entrepreneurs can accept credit-card transactions. You won't have to send your customers to the corner ATM for cash.

The Downside to Square

There are fees, though. Each time customers swipe their credit cards through your Square Reader, you'll have to pay 2.75 percent for the transaction cost. If you need to manually enter your customer's credit-card number, you pay Square, Inc. 3.5 percent of the transaction. Entrepreneur Magazine in a recent review of the system also said that human customer support is shaky at best for the product. Still, despite having these cons, it's difficult to deny that Square can dramatically boost the efficiency of small businesses.

Big data isn't only for big companies

Here's a quick quiz for the owners of small businesses. Do you know what big data is? You might have read about big data. You've probably even read that those businesses who study big data use it to forge a more powerful relationship to customers and gain an edge over their competitors. But as a small business owner you're busy. You have to hire three more employees . You have to approve your product's new marketing plan. And you also need to find a new location that will better serve your growing business. This doesn't mean, though, you can ignore big data, and here's why:

Defining Big Data

What is big data? John Weathington, writing for Tech Republic blog, does a good job explaining: Big data, as the name suggests, are massive quantities of fast-moving information. This information is free, but it serves a very important purpose in the marketplace. Big data, if effectively mined and studied, will tell you what your target customers want, what they lack and just how much they will be prepared to pay to get it. In other words, big data can tell you the best way to run your small business.

Big Data In Action

Knowing the meaning is one thing, actually using big data to draw in new customers is another. Fortunately, CIO Magazine recently took a quick look at three companies that market themselves in part by highlighting their ability to use big data to help their clients make smarter choices. Consider Financial Engines. This financial firm, as CIO writes, utilizes large financial data sets and advanced analytical tools to help customers successfully plan their retirements. Because the company has access to retirement statistics, trends and data, it has little trouble grabbing new clients.

Exmobaby uses big data differently: Its pajamas incorporate built-in sensors that compile health information on the babies wearing them. The sensors then compile this health-and-wellness data so that parents can access it. The marketing advantage is obvious: Exmobaby can take large amounts of data and then use it to show concerned parents how healthy their babies are. Parchment relies on big data to help students apply for the appropriate colleges. The company relies on a database of grade point averages, SAT scores and college acceptance data to guide students toward those colleges likely to accept them. The CIO Magazine story proves that big data is not an esoteric matter. It's real information that will help the owners of small businesses gain new business.

Why your small business still needs a printer

Don't think you need a printer in your small business? Think again. We'd all prefer to think that we're on the verge of a paperless society. After all, we are able to create our important documents on our smart phones, tablets and Desktops and store them in the cloud. You can then send these documents to important clients. There's no need for ever printing them out, right? Not quite. Quite a few of your clients will still insist on hard-copy documents detailing your transactions with them. These customers may not be tech-savvy enough to adjust to paperless business. Or maybe they refuse to go paperless. Whatever the reason, they need printouts. If you cannot deliver them, you'll lose their business.


Can’t turn away business


As writer Paul Mah with Small Business Computing.com says, small businesses will frequently encounter customers who demand real paper trails of their transactions. These clients are either unable or hesitant to move toward a paperless business model. Small business owners today are hardly ever in the position of turning away any customers, even those that won't get accustomed to new technology. It's important, then, for small business owners to purchase the appropriate printer. Fortunately, Mah provides some choices.


All-in-one?


First, you should determine whether you require a multi-function printer. Such printers, as their name suggests, do more than just print. They also scan, photocopy and fax. Such printers make sense for firms that perform these other functions. However, these printers, because of their many functions, are often more expensive. If your company rarely faxes or makes photocopies, equipment dedicated solely to printing will make more sense.


Laser vs. Inkjet


What will work better for your small business, a laser printer or perhaps an inkjet printer? You’ll have to consider several factors to make this decision. Does your organization print a lot of documents? Then you might consider purchasing a laser printer. These printers can be more expensive. However they produce crisp and clean copy, and they're also sturdier, able to better withstand large demand. But what if your company only has to print documents occasionally? Then an inkjet printer might make more sense. These printers are less expensive than are laser printers. Technology has improved enough so the documents they produce look more professional than ever. The downside? If you do print an excessive amount, you’ll spend a lot of money on replacement cartridges. As Mah writes, choosing the right printer for your business is far from an impossible task. With simply a little research, you’ll find the right machine for your company and its unique printing needs.

Need files from your PC? Try the iPad’s remote-access apps

You use your iPad for almost everything: Checking the Internet, reading the news, watching shows and communicating with friends and family members. But if you use your iPad for work, you will be frustrated. As handy as the iPad is, it is still not really as powerful as a Workstation or laptop. That's where remote-access apps may help. Developers have developed several programs which allow you to access and take control of your desktop or laptop computers from the iPad. You can access your files, folders and contacts. Some even let you stream the videos and music you store on your computer on the iPad. Controlling a PC or laptop from the iPad isn't perfect. The iPad's screen is large for a tablet, but it's small for a desktop or laptop. Sometimes things get a bit cramped. But if you need emergency ability to access your desktop pc, these three apps are able to do the trick.


GoToMyPc: Citrix has long offered GoToMyPC, a means to access your home computer while you are on the road. In fact, Citrix was offering this service before tablets and smartphones became the favored toys of tech-savvy consumers. Today, you can sign up for the service for $9.95 monthly for basic service or $99 for one computer for a year. Once you sign up, you'll be given a free app for the iPad that lets you run GoToMyPC from a tablet. As the name suggests, use this service to remotely access your Word and PowerPoint documents, e-mail folders and file folders. PC Magazine just evaluated the service and praised it for being user friendly and usefulness. The cost, though, is high. Many iPad users will find cheaper services that work equally as well for their needs.


SplashTop Remote Desktop: One of the more popular remote-access iPad apps, SplashTop Remote Desktop is remarkably powerful for its low price of $4.99. And, as a recent review in CNET says, you can even use this application to access and stream videos and music from your PC to your iPad. This is a rare feature in the remote-access industry, and makes this program an attractive one.


LogMeIn Ignition: LogMeIn Ignition is another lower-priced alternative to popular GoToMyPC, though at $30, it is costlier than rival SplashTop. This program was also praised by CNET for its being user friendly and effectiveness, but also for two nifty features. First, you can use LogMeIn to remotely wake up a sleeping or shut-down PC. Secondly, you can use the app to remotely relocate files from a PC to your iPad.